Just Wait, by InstantKarmaGirl

Just Wait by InstantKarmaGirl

Official Description: AH AU OOC In a world saturated by vices, Bella is forced to move in with her father to avoid the repercussions of her past deeds. But after she meets the socially withdrawn adopted son of the town's doctor, will she allow herself to open up and heal?

I saw that this has been a juggernaut due to the massive number of people who tweet about it. I was told there is major heartfail, so as a precaution, I planned to wait until it was Completed. But when it was chosen as the first Fic Club selection, I decided to get on board. I literally read this puppy all. night. long. I couldn't stop. I knew I had shit to do the next day, but I had to know what happens for these two damaged but lovable characters.

I'm going to write a full on post for Just Wait, but in the meantime:

I was obsessed with knowing the secret behind Bella and StutterWard's brokenness. I also 'had to know' if their relationship would progress. If they are going to be able to find salvation in each other. What I really like is that I don't think IKG is going to offer her characters salvation. I think she is presenting us with 2 people who are trying to survive their drama, not working to solve it outright. And I also respect how they are not 2 injured birds reconciling with their pasts, they are individuals whose everyday lives are a continual struggle. Edward continues to face the daily torment and social disconnect of having a speech impediment. Bella continues to suffer a cycle of having no regard for her own well being, thus finding herself in situations in the present that reverberate the trauma of the past.

I like how Edward and Bella's issues are sort of extensions of personality types exhibited in Twilight. In Twilight, Edward is completely isolated from his peers. He is unable to relate to their trivial minutia, largely because of his "gift" of being able to see into their mundane minds. Just Wait's Stutterward isn't exactly isolated because of a "gift" but rather an affliction that prevents him from freely expressing himself. Twilight Bella and Just Wait Bella share a common disregard for their personal safety. In seeking out what they want, both Bellas end up putting their well being on the line.

Extracurricular: Birth and Girl

As part of the Extracurricular section of my blog, I occasionally post about things that aren't directly related to fanfic. Today, we have

The movie: Birth, with Nicole Kidman and Cameron Bright.

The song: Girl, by a small band called The Beatles.

BIRTH

I just rewatched Birth for the millionth time and this movie continues to amaze me. The pace is slow as the story unfolds, the acting and direction is not in any way in-your-face. It immerses you into the artistry of it: each shot is a painting and the music carries the weight of the emotion.  

The beautiful music throughout the movie is its own character, the way it drives the pace and mood. All composed by Alexandre Desplat (the same guy who did the music for New Moon. But in Birth there are more original compositions and its more at the root of the emotion of the scenes than it is in New Moon.)

The director, Jonathan Glazer, builds the story in such a compelling, visual way. I haven't read the script and it's always hard to tell where original story leaves off and the director's vision begins. But either way, the intrigue and emotional tension is deeply rooted in both the story itself and the visual manifestation of it. 

The premise of this movie could have easily come off as very creepy, weird and off-putting. A woman, Nicole Kidman, has lost her husband. Ten years later, when she is finally happy and engaged to a man she loves, she is approached by a little boy who claims to be Sean, her dead husband. The little boy is played BRILLIANTLY by Cameron Bright (who now happens to play Alec in the Twilight Saga). Check out the trailer, you'll see what I mean:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OfjZ5Msdb8

The acting in this is UNBELIEVABLE! There's a shot that is a close up on Kidman - I don't even want to talk about it because you should experience it yourself. But the way it was shot and the incredible nuance of her performance, especially in that moment, is something that has stuck with me since I first saw this movie several years ago. And that example speaks to the way this director and those actors complemented one another to a gorgeous end.

There are so many interesting themes that are explored, and I'm hesitant to blather on with my analysis, because you should go see it and see for yourself what it means to you. But quickly, there are questions about the inability to let go of love, the depth to which love can overpower your rational self, the durability of one's spirit, the notion that love is a subjective experience that's not dependent on the reality of the love that's being returned.  <--- if you've seen the movie, I'm dying to know how other people perceived it!

It's not for everyone, but if you are a lover of films that are art, go check out Birth! And then come tell me what you thought :)

GIRL

Girl, The Beatles   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZshCZndWmco

Girl is on the album Rubber Soul. Since the first time I heard it, I loved Girl because of that sound he makes in the chorus. It's one of those sounds that's an involuntary response to seeing something that turns you on. The deep intake of breath through your teeth. When John breaks it out in this song, I always thought is was hot. It's a cool way to capture the essence of that raw reaction. 

In the song he's talking about this woman who he's drawn to. Even though she treats him badly, he is helpless to resist her. Just like a bunch of the songs on Rubber Soul, Girl talks about a relationship that's complicated. Just like real life relationships are complicated. 

He's listing all of these terrible qualities and he makes her sound like a wretched person. But then in the chorus John sounds like he's thinking of her quite fondly. It seems to indicate that she's so hot that despite these dispicable qualities, he stays with her anyway. I always saw his listing of her faults as, "Oh look at what I'm willing to put up with in order to tap that ass."

But recently I realized it's more than that. He's lamenting about his situation. That he's taken by this girl who's so wrong for him. He lists all of these things he hates about her. But what he hates about her most, is that he can't stay away from her. Have you ever had a boyfriend who is so wrong for you but you keep going back because the sex is too frickin hot. It's like you hate yourself for not being able to resist it and walk away even though you know you should. And then you hate the other person for being so irresistible. A terrible scenario for those of us who are hedonistically inclined!

My love for this song grew as I saw it as a little window into this internal struggle:

This song starts as an agitated "Won't someone listen to this terrible situation I've gotten myself into!" but even as he's spewing these complaints, he keeps coming back round to the chorus and fond thoughts of this girl and what she does to him. By the end of the song he seems like he's chilled out a bit and not as willing to act on the problem. More willing to accept his fate. And be with this girl. He'll stay.

P.S. If you haven't really hit up Rubber Soul, I highly rec!!!

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Althea Jams, Blogs, and READS

My name is Althea, and I am 'just' a reader.

As readers, we most often send our reviews out into the universe and wonder if the author got the joke we put in. Or if they saw the question we asked about something we were genuinely curious about. Most of the time our reviews don't get acknowledged. 

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Don't get me wrong -- I understand an author's time constraints. Trust me when I tell you that I'd rather an author spend their time writing as opposed to answering reviews (other than mine, of course :)) In all seriousness, I would hope an author would reply if they have time or if they are moved to, but never because they feel obligated to.

[This has been the obligatory disclaimer. As a reader, if you don't make this sentiment clear, you are assumed to be one of those assholes who aren't appreciative of an author's time. Dude, I love being lumped in with those guys.]  

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Anyway, when authors do communicate back, it makes this whole Twific thing joyful. I'm appreciative of the "Thanks for reading" because it is a really sweet acknowledgment of the time I spent reading the story, and my investment in the characters. But I don't expect this or any response. It's special when an author writes back. And I've wanted to break out in cartwheels when I've made an author laugh. 

Readers are not as well known as authors are in this community. It's hard for most of us to reach any kind of audience, whether it's measured in twitter followers or hits/comments on our blogs. We don't win contests or get nominated for awards. These aren't complaints, it is just the nature of being a reader. We don't share in the 'accolades' or 'benefits' that a successful author might, but wouldn't it be cool if there was a way to publicly acknowledge the contribution of thoughtful readers?

There are some readers who take time to put together a thoughtful or creative response to a chapter. There are readers who ask authors good questions or make them laugh. I want to know who these people are. I want to connect with them on twitter and talk about the story. I want them to be celebrated and given props for the piece of joy they contributed to this community. 

On the site that supports our Fic Pushin' podcast, one of the features I am most passionate about is Hump Your Readers Wednesday.

We are asking authors to remember the best reviews they've received. The ones that were particularly heartwarming, or insightful, or that made them laugh out loud. We are asking authors to send these reviews into us (we've made it easy-as-hell: push button for form, copy, paste, send). We want to honor those readers who took the time and hooked it up with an awesome review. For that reason, we created Hump Your Readers Wednesday. Every week we will post the reviews that have been sent in that week. 

Reviews can be the fuel that pushes authors to keep creating. The feedback from reviewers gives them the reassurance that what they're writing means something to someone. With Hump Your Readers Wednesday, we hope to create another mechanism for authors to reassure readers that what they have to say means something too.

If I found out that an author loved a review I wrote, it would make my heart dance. It would make me so happy to know that it meant so much to her that she wanted to acknowledge it and share it with the community. So if you are an author, DO IT! 

HOTNESS Hall of Fame: Show Me

Poor canon Edward. Trying SO hard not to murder Bella.  Clinging to any semblance of self control, hoping that lust doesn't cause him to give-in to the hotness of the moment. This week's HOTNESS Hall of Fame is dedicated to these instances in Vamp AU fic, these moments of straight up fuckhotness, when Edward walks into a situation where his desire for Bella overwhelms his usual hold on his inner gentleman.

And if that loss of control weren't hot enough, several of this week's selections involve a dirty talking Edward whose desperation seems to have driven him OOC. Hey, I get it. There's no way I'd be able to repress my inner desires for as long as Edward has. I'd break out of character too if I had a chance to sneak a taste of what's in front of me. In today's selection of Show Me fic, our dear Edward gets creative in his attempts to get a little sumthin without killing his beloved. 

One oneshot in this Show Me vein of hotness is Surprises by KatieBelleCullen. I nominated this puppy for hottest dirty talk for the Golden Lemon Awards. 

The Edward of Bella's fantasy sets a pretty high bar of commanding, dirty talking hotness. Bella is, uh, fantasizing, and opens her eyes to find that Edward is sitting there watching her. Will he respond and step out of the shell of Gentleman Vampire? Can he bring the dirty dirty hotness that Bella dreams about? Spoiler Alert: Yes, yes he most certainly can and does. Oh Edward, why so fucking hot? well written, hot, quick, and dirty GO READ THIS IMMEDIATELY

Surprises by KatieBelleCullen 

Edward surprises Bella after a rather personal and intimate moment. But the real surprise is his reaction. My entry for the Dirty Talking Edward Contest. Rated M for a reason.

On the Fic Pushin Podcast, I gave a shoutout to BooBoo.Kitty2.0 for her oneshot Show Me. We were talking about fics that initiated us into our twific addiction, and I explained how the smut is what caught my attention initially. Show Me is one of the first oneshots I ever came across. Edward can't get as close to Bella as he'd like so he asks her to "show me" what she does when she thinks of him. But can Edward handle it when she turns the tables?

Show Me by BooBoo.Kitty2.0   

An entry for *A Twilight Teasing Story Contest* Bella comes into her room, fresh from the shower, wrapped in only a towel, to find Edward lounging on her bed instead of out hunting like he's supposed to be. Slightly OOC Edward, but not too much.

And finally, we come to an Edward who's domineering but not quite as OOC. In The List, LauraACullen builds the momentum of a couple who are exploring their boundaries. By Chapter 6, Edward is clearly more comfortable acting on his sexual desires. He is finding creative ways to get what he wants despite the limitations imposed by his vampire bloodlust.  

In Chapter 6, Unexpected, Edward returns from hunting to find a sleeping Bella who is clearly having a vivid erotic dream about him. When she awakens, Edward questions a blushing Bella, wanting her to reveal what exactly was happening in her dream. Here's an excerpt:

.......

"...And, um, then I asked you," I swallowed, "to touch me. And, oh, God, Edward," I shifted to rub my thighs together, "You did."

"Where did I touch you?"

"You…ran your hand down between my breasts to my stomach. Then you rubbed back up my side. When…when you palmed my breast it felt so good."

"Show me."

"What?"

"Show. Me." My panties were now so wet that the moisture had seeped onto my upper thighs.

"Oh God. Edward, I need you so much."

"Then show me." His voice was raspy and clipped. I had never heard it sound so commanding.

My left hand moved in response to Edward's words. Slowly I dragged my hand down the center of my torso, before running it back up to my breast and squeezing softly. I couldn't help the moan that escaped my lips.

"Harder, Bella. I would touch you harder."

.......

Gah! So much more hotness throughout that chapter.

I highly rec The List as a whole - it's a hot, fun, AU read with some classic twific moments.

The List by LauraACullen  

Four weeks before her wedding to Edward, Bella is frustrated. She knows there's little-to-no chance of getting him to bend his rules and boundaries now, but there's no harm in fantasizing about what could happen later. So she begins compiling a list...

If you can think of other instances of Show Me hotness, or if you just want to say hi, leave a comment! :)

Feature: What Makes This Fic Different From All Other Fics?

Every year on Passover, those of us who are down with the tribe come together for a seder feast. Part of that ritual is asking a set of 4 questions that challenge us to think about why *this* night is different from all other nights.

I think that way about fics sometimes - what makes this story different from all other fic? Is it just that's it's new or updating at the moment? Is it truly unique or just unique to me, given what I've previously read?

In my sidebar recs I've created a category for stories that I find to be original and brilliant in their execution. They are must-reads.  I've picked three of my faves and I'm going to try and boil it down to a few key reasons why these fics stand apart as particularly unique. Why are these fics different from all other fics?

The Blessing & The Curse by TheBlackArrow

Two people connected since childhood, a mother's last dying wish, a triangle where Bella must choose between the safe road and the uncertain yet passionate road. A great story with great characters, but what makes it truly unique...

• An original Edward/Bella dynamic - They are not just meeting for the first time. They have history, and a dark history at that. This Edward is mysterious and almost seems threatening in his power over Bella. She is fascinating as she fights their connection but is unable to resist his pull. This dynamic, by the way, all makes for some CRAZY hot UST. Ridiculously hot. 
• The way Black Arrow writes is fluid and Vivid with a capital V. It is like a painting or a movie that I'm watching in my mind. I can't say enough about how much I fall in love with her writing with every chapter I read.

Becoming Bella Swan by BellaFlan
This fic sets a whole new standard for unique.

• BellaFlan serves up total mindfuckery in this brilliant and intriguing way. She plays with canon and leaves you questioning what is real. 
• She introduces us to the original character of Isabella Flanagan (or she's at least an original voice. we're not sure yet where the original character part ends and Bella Swan begins). Here's what I wrote when I nom'd BBS for Best Bella:  This Bella is the most hilarious, crass, filthy, and straight up COMPELLING in all of fanfic. She's seriously complicated but remains accessible through her funny-as-hell take on the crazy situations she encounters. 
• The author's execution of the story is at the root of this fic's success. Whenever I rec this fic I always find myself revisiting the question that baffles me: How in the hell does she meld a complicated mystery that straddles realities, with the filthy dirtiness of Isabella's mouth and her  fuckhot adventures? How is a mindbender so frickin funny?

Tropic of Virgo by in.a.blue.bathrobe

In this fic (which is in my alltime top 5), music goes way beyond just setting the mood of a chapter. Its use sets it apart from other fics.

As I say in the intro to my review of ToV:  In.A.Blue.Bathrobe incorporates lyrics and poetry and performance - all of which brings the characters' creative process to life and heightens the reader's understanding of who these characters really are.  The use of music takes this story well beyond the realm of the average high school fic.

Check out my review of ToV for a taste of one of my favorite scenes in all of twific. It also happens to illustrate how brilliantly in.a.blue.bathrobe's writing takes you inside the characters' experience of music.

The Blessing & The Curse, Becoming Bella Swan, and Tropic of Virgo, are just 3 of the hundreds of stories out there that exemplify the originality that keeps this fandom interesting. I'm constantly searching for fics that have a fresh characterization, or an original premise, or that tells a story in an inventive way.

Tell me what you think: What fics do you think are truly unique?

. . . Looking back on April

Ah April, when I still had time to read fic. I remember that time fondly. Damn you, new full-time job! My life as a full-time fic reader came to an end at the end of April. It's great to actually have money coming in now. Afterall, I do like food and shelter. But I long for the 'luxury' that unemployment afforded -- all day fic reading marathons. *I miss you, FF.net*

Anyway, to reel it in a bit, here's what I read in April :)

Completed fics that I enjoyed:
Aegis by mothlights
Type O Negative by quothme
Get Me To You by Chicklette

Fics I checked out due to Indies:
Becoming Bella Swan by BellaFlan
Neverending Math Equation by twanza
Eclipsed Heart by Buff82

Love in My Box by cosmoandmarvar
I saw that there's a team for this fic for FGB and wanted to check it out. I figured that if I like it, I'd want to contribute. And I love it, and I will :)

Cosmo and Marvar bring the funny. I love being inside the heads of their Edward and Bella. Adorable email back and forth between an innocent geeky Edward and a smart Bella who enjoys pushing his buttons and pushing his boundaries -- all mitigated by long distance communication. I love seeing how emboldened they are by the distance. There are flashbacks to their 1 night stand. There are present-day interactions as E and B process this new relationship with their friends Rosalie and Emmett. And the sweetest image of Edward reading to Bella under a tree.


Uncomfortable by Savannah-Vee
Started this as a oneshot when it won Best Angst for the Slash Backslash contest. It's gone on as a multichapter fic. It's Jasper/Edward, but it is never as simple as that. Alice brings Jasper home to meet her family and is taken aback by the piercing stare of Alice's brother Edward. "The way he looks at me makes me feel...uncomfortable." 

This Edward is either a truly confused person, or a cruel self-hating player. Not sure yet which it is. I'd like to think it's the former but he is constantly acting the latter. Poor Jasper is just trying to come to grips with the realization that he's gay, and all Edward does is toy with Jasper's feelings and growing Edward-obsession. Savannah-Vee truly makes it difficult for me to love this Edward: he is constantly cockblocking Jasper's happiness. I'm curious to see how it all plays out.

Just Wait by InstantKarmaGirl
I saw that this has been a juggernaut due to the massive number of people who tweet about it. I was told there is major heartfail, so as a precaution, I planned to wait until it was Completed. But when it was chosen as the first Fic Club selection, I decided to get on board. I literally read this puppy all. night. long. I couldn't stop. I knew I had shit to do the next day, but I had to know what happens for these two damaged but lovable characters.

I'm going to write a full on post for Just Wait, but in the meantime:

I was obsessed with knowing the secret behind Bella and StutterWard's brokenness. I also 'had to know' if their relationship would progress. If they are going to be able to find salvation in each other. What I really like is that I don't think IKG is going to offer her characters salvation. I think she is presenting us with 2 people who are trying to survive their drama, not working to solve it outright. And I also respect how they are not 2 injured birds reconciling with their pasts, they are individuals whose everyday lives are a continual struggle. Edward continues to face the daily torment and social disconnect of having a speech impediment. Bella continues to suffer a cycle of having no regard for her own well being, thus finding herself in situations in the present that reverberate the trauma of the past.


I like how Edward and Bella's issues are sort of extensions of personality types exhibited in Twilight. In Twilight, Edward is completely isolated from his peers. He is unable to relate to their trivial minutia, largely because of his "gift" of being able to see into their mundane minds. Just Wait's Stutterward isn't exactly isolated because of a "gift" but rather an affliction that prevents him from freely expressing himself. Twilight Bella and Just Wait Bella share a common disregard for their personal safety. In seeking out what they want, both Bellas end up putting their well being on the line.

Feature: Fics that are in Critical Condition

This week's feature: 
Fics that are in need of mouth-to-mouth.

"Don't you die on me!"

There are a bunch of WIP stories that I adore that have not updated in what feels like ages. Being both stubborn and hopeful, I refuse to believe that these stories are being abandoned by the author. 

Sometimes the story is pretty far enough along, and already so original and well done in what's already written. I'm the type of reader that would happily take a swift albeit premature wrap up of the story over the uncertainty of whether the fic will ever be picked up again. Obviously I'd love for the author to complete the full story they envisioned, but I understand that sometimes things happen, and even authors with the best of intentions are unable to work on their story. 

But for me, I feel additional frustration with the mid air suspension of an otherwise killer story: I can't rec it. I love it, I think it's brilliant, and I want to tell everyone about it. But I can't rec a fic to someone knowing full well that they will fall in love only to be left hanging!  But you see, I am a fic pusher by nature. I think I get more distressed with not being able to pimp the story, than I am about the story having no closure. 

"Can I miss what I never had?"

There are also stories that *everyone* recs but have not updated in forever. I am dying to read these fics but to protect my emotional well being, I have not started them yet. Now again, I have no idea what the author's circumstances are and frankly it's none of my business. Nor am I criticizing ANYONE who is brave enough to put themselves out there like that in the first place (lord knows I couldn't do it!). I am simply expressing the yearning I feel for something that I can't have.  

Fans who develop an emotional attachment to a fic often think longingly about that story that's floating out there, just yearning for resolution. Is there a anything that they can do? Besides show their continued love (ahem, pester) the author for news on the story? YES. Our "electronic panels" comes to us in three little words. Fandom Gives Back

Bidding on an author is one of the ways that readers can show their love and support for the author and her story. Now, if you win... depending on the auction terms, you just might be able to get that next chapter you've been hankering for. Perhaps an author might be willing to temporarily resurrect that pulled story you thought you'd never see again. 

Is this a last ditch effort of fan intervention into the author's process? Yup. Would an author's offer to finish a beloved WIP rally fans to raise a mountain of money? Yup. 


If fics like Nice Catch, Burn and Shine, and A Madman's Mercy were to come to some conclusion, I would do cartwheels in my 1 bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, drywall be damned. If fics like Innocent, Vigilant, Ordinary, The Vampire in the Basement, or Hiding in Plain Site updated, there would be celebrations all throughout Twificland. Authors (and not at all just the ones I singled out), you know what we want, and we're willing to pay to get it. Readers, let's rally together to bring some of our beloved stories back to life.

NOTE:

Please don't be offended if you are an author whose story was just mentioned as an example! And my sincerest apologies if I have inaccurately characterized your fic. (a) My enthusiasm (and that of your fans) is a direct reflection of the love we have for you and your story. (b) You are of course under no obligation and are able to craft the conditions of your auction, indicating that your story is off the table. (c) FGB is an opportunity to raise some money for a good cause, not a chance to bully authors into writing something they don't want to write. 

I am simply mentioning the potential gold mine that exists within beloved yet dormant fic. 

So, are there fics that you'd like to see resurrected? Please drop me a comment to let me know :)